Small Changes With Profound Effects

Easy upgrades for the everyday

This letter is brought to you by Leaf.

Changing your life doesn’t have to be a big deal. Maybe it has something to do with inching toward 30 or the general lackluster appeal of what was once a flashy life upgrade, but I’m really only interested in the tiny choices I can make that have massive payoff.

I polled Long Live readers in the chat for ideas of their own life upgrades—which ranges from vacuum cleaners to divorce—and felt inspired to make my own list. Keep it going by adding your own angle in the comments below.

Trading my faded plastic takeout containers for glass storage containers

Food prep will never be a compelling concept to me. I just don’t care. But these glass containers make portioning a little extra for tomorrow’s lunch or storing washed berries a breeze. I’ve tried many iterations of this, and while a jam jar is great for some things, this really helps me build out a meal I can eat during a busy work day. I also use these for cut citrus or chopped vegetables.

Who said this was only a secondhand fashion Substack?

Skipping social on weekends

When social media started becoming my job, I decided to do my best to outlaw it on the weekend. I’m not perfect at this, but when I stick to an Instagram and Tiktok fast Friday night to Monday morning, I notice my weekends feel twice as long. Leaving my phone in my bag from the day before is another one of my tricks. It helps me remember that my inbox and texts can usually wait until the next morning. Evenings are for resetting and relaxing. I go back and forth between using Freedom to block these websites on my computer, if you’re someone who needs an extra kick in the pants.

Keeping candles I love and extra ribbon on hand

Gifts are my love language. And I don’t drink. That means, I no longer have that shelf of wine I can reach for when I’m running to a dinner party. But fear not! For the past year, I’ve been curating my own gift corner in my kitchen where I stock up on candles I adore from smaller brands. I also save gorgeous ribbon scraps from PR mailers that deserve to live a second life. That way, I’m always set and there’s bound to be a candle scent that matches the person I’m thanking for having me over. This also works well for birthdays or promotions, in a pinch.

My favorites? Glad you asked. I love Clarity Douglas Fir & Ancient Vetiver from Flamingo Estate, Swoodish from D.S. & Durga, Cipres Mint from Homecourt, and Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt.

Tip: these are $38 but you can usually get 15% off sitewide

Throwing out your disposable razor

Sometimes I feel evangelistic enough about something I come out of magazine writing retirement to pitch a story about it. The Leaf Razor is a perfect example. You can read all about my meet cute with the razor that’s making today’s letter possible here.

The TLDR is this: I tried so many refillable razors before Leaf and all of them were way more work to set up than they were worth the knicks I kept getting. I’ve exclusively shaved with a Leaf Razor for, what, maybe three years now, and cut myself exactly zero times.

In the Spruce color to match my Grey Gardens poster

It’s simple to keep clean, feels incredible in your hand, and makes you start to question what other upgrades in your life you should be making. Until Earth Day, April 22, the entire site is 17% off. We were lucky enough to gift Leaf Razors at an EV Salon last year, and not to play favorites, but it was the most talked about gift to date.

Permission to quit a book or movie

I get it. Some readers will come for me on this suggestion, but it’s one I feel passionately about. Life’s too short for books that aren’t a good fit. I usually give books 50-90 pages to win me over. If it’s not a fit, I give it to a friend or donate, and never leave a pithy Goodreads review. (Can you tell I’m a debut author attempting to ignore her own?) I also walk out of maybe 1.5 movies every year. It’s so uncomfortable until you’re back on the streets of the city with an hour and a half of your time back. Being an adult has its perk.

Creating a personalized Spotify podcast playlist

Ever listen to an episode and know you’ll want to revisit it? Maybe it’s a little nerdy, but I took matters into my own hands and started a playlist called EV Approved for all these nuggets of wisdom. If a friend asks for a rec or if I’m looking for a little inspiration, I can always revisit my favorites, all in one place.

Assembling a Brain Trust

I have two group messages whose advice and sign off I treasure more than anything. I think of them both as Brain Trusts. One is based here, with friends I see all the time who work mostly in the same circles. The other is my dear friends in LA, who all work for themselves, too. Being about to have access to two distinct sounding boards for work, decisions, let’s be real, eBay purchases, means the world to me.

Huge hug to “Personal Choice” my West Coast Brain Trust

Could I be more relaxed and nice?

Somehow, a year-ish ago, I stumbled upon this document. It’s called “Cheat Code to the Universe,” so it’s not for everybody. But my main takeaway is this simple question: “Could I be more relaxed and nice?” On days when I feel overwhelmed or work’s really getting to me, this question helps ground me in something softer.

Creating monogrammed stationery and matches for gifts

I am very clearly not a designer. My obsession with personalization? Well, that’s been documented since my mom and I wrote my name on my preschool backpack in puffy paint. The act of customizing something feels so intentional to me. I don’t think I have to mention the gift giving love language thing again. I keep things pretty lowkey, designing matches on this site using the customizer they have. In an ideal world, I’d hire Tori to do all of it. I also love creating little vignettes with people’s names and an item they love—loafers, tinned fish, a rabbit—on top of stationery. I order those on this site and opt for the best paper they have available. If you’re looking for something more turn key, this Etsy option is great, too.

Committing to a tailor and cobbler

The quickest way to break an overconsumption habit? Reinvest all the money you’re spending on new clothes into caring for the clothes you already have. My tailor, Yin, always makes fun of the way I beg him to find one more half inch to let out for the maximum amount of inseam. But he always gets the job done! I’ve had my favorite pair of Ferragamo loafers, purchased on the Upper East Side at a charity shop eleven years ago, resoled three times. Try scanning your closet. Is there a skirt you’ve always wanted to be shorter? A jacket that needs a cleaning? Grab a coffee and fall in love with your local miracle worker. Here are some favorites.

I would skip getting anything hemmed at Orchard…don’t ask

Chinese Friends in Fort Greene

Leather Spa for special handbag restoration

Orchard Express on the LES for a quick turnaround, but nothing too precious AND they reline coats for under $100

Ramon Tailor on the LES for custom pieces and great work

G&G in SoHo for the most sacred of pieces, all the big fashion people use them

Roma Shoe Repair & Accessories in Carroll Gardens for leather goods and resoling

Alterations & Custom Made By Tran in Des Moines for everything

Can’t speak to the quality—just to the name and excellent font

We’re giving away a Leaf Razor! It’s as simple as commenting about a life upgrade you’ve made. I’ll randomly select a winner next week.

Honorable Mentions

I’m convinced this dress shape is the most versatile thing you could add to your closet this spring. And my favorite sunnies under $100 are available in grey—very cool.

I made a playlist for my romance novel when I started writing it a year and a half ago. It holds up!

Rothy’s Vintage Sale! It’s next weekend! I’m so excited to meet you all and share the insane curation me and

Ruby's Recs

have been compiling. RSVP here.

Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can preorder my romance novel, Exit Lane, on Bookshop or Amazon. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, and shop my Notion template. Get matched at EV Salon. And if you want to partner on a future Long Live, email evan@communite.co x